Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the national road Nº57B in Battambang province, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said illegal labor ring-leaders must be arrested and sentenced in accordance with the law.

The premier also appealed to all Cambodians to stop seeking illegal works abroad, especially in Thailand while Cambodia can provide similar jobs for them with cheaper expense than abroad, safe and without facing any arresting risks from Thai authorities. –AKP

By KHAN Sophirom

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Cambodian Tourism Delegation Returns Home

Phnom Penh, March 22, 2011 AKP – A Cambodian tourism delegation led by its Minister H.E. Thong Khon returned home on Mar. 21 after paying a visit to Russia and Switzerland.

In the first country, Russia, the Cambodian delegation has signed a joint action work plan on tourism cooperation with the Russian counterpart, H.E. Thong Khon told a press conference at Phnom Penh International Airport.

Both sides have also agreed to push up the direct flight between the two countries due to the increasing number of Russian tourists to Cambodia, said H.E. Thong Khon, indicating that in 2010, some 40,000 Russian visitors came to Cambodia, an increase of 70 percent if compared with 2009. In January 2011 alone, he added, almost 10,000 Russian tourists were recorded, or an increase of 102 percent.

In Switzerland, he continued, the Cambodian delegation has signed an agreement on the establishment of Switzerland-supported cooking training institute in Cambodia. Switzerland has been very famous internationally for its cooking skill and other services related to hotel and tourism.

During the visit, the Cambodian delegation has met with the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and France’s CIVIPOL, which has agreed to send experts to Cambodia in June this year to train Cambodian lifeguards. –AKP

Speaking at the ceremony, the minister, who was accompanied by his wife, senate and parliament members of Kampong Cham constituency and Information officials, conveyed the best wishes from the Senate, National Assembly and government leaders to the local residents.

He raised the recent development situation of the country dealing with social security, public order, economy and politics.

The minister also told the participants in the ceremony of Cambodia-Thailand border situation, saying that Cambodia adhered to the stand on the resolution of the border conflict by peaceful means with the participation from the third party.

The concrete bridge, with 13.20 meters long, 4 meters wide and 3.5 meters high, is constructed at an estimated cost of US$45,000.

When completed, the bridge helps to facilitate the travel and the transportation of agricultural produce, thus contributing to the improvement of the local people’s lives.

The information minister also gave a donation to three local orphans. The donation includes three bicycles, 50 kg of milled rice and US$250 in cash.

In the meantime, he visited the premises for installing the relay radio station located in Ponhea Krek district of the province. –AKP

Article in Khmer by HUN Yuth Kun

Article in English by THOU Peou

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Cambodia Welcomes Japanese Investors

Phnom Penh, March 22, 2011 AKP – The Royal Government of Cambodia warmly welcomed a delegation of Japanese investors in a ceremony held here on Monday at Naga World Hotel under the presidency of Senior Minister and Commerce Minister H.E. Cham Prasidh.

At the welcoming ceremony, Mrs. Hun Mana, Director General of Bayon Television and Radio, briefed the Japanese investors on the country’s rapid development of macro-economy, political stability and economic growth despite the global financial and economic crisis in the past years.

For his part, H.E. Cham Prasidh said Cambodia has set up many laws and policies to encourage and protect foreign investments. –AKP

The plan has been revealed here by OCIC in a recent meeting with Phnom Penh Municipal Governor H.E. Kep Chutema.

According to Mr. Pung Kheav Se, President of OCIC, the satellite city will include a botanic garden, sports facility along with commercial and residential areas. –AKP

By LIM Nary

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Cambodia’s Railways Ready for Regional Integration

Phnom Penh, March 22, 2011 AKP – Restoration, construction and development of railways to link the Capital of Phnom Penh to a number of provinces, and to join with the railroads of the neighboring countries as part of Asian railroad networks are one of the priory goals of the Royal Government of Cambodia.

To speed up the railroad development, the Royal Government of Cambodia has decided with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to restore the existing railroads and to grant railroad business operation to private sector through the international tender.

According the 2010 report of the Ministry of Public Works and Transports, the railroad reform and reconstruction has now been progressing with plans so as to improve railroad transportation capacity and to integrate into the regional system.

A US$73-million railway construction project financed by ADB, OFIC, … and Malaysia with the contributive fund of Cambodia is currently implemented on a 48-kilometer section from Serey Sophorn to Poipet as a link to the railway of Thailand. It is scheduled to be completed in 2012.

The construction of 266-kilometer section from Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk province is now underway, the first-phase of which was finished on 120 kilometers, or 47 percent of the total project, linking Phnom Penh to Touk Meas Station. It was put into operation in October 2010. The remaining section from Touk Meas Station to Preah Sihanouk province through to the provincial seaport is planned to finish in May 2011.

Another 338-kilometer section from Phnom Penh to the City of Serey Sophorn is also expected to complete in 2012.

At the same time, the pulled funding of US$68.6 million has also been arranged with commitment of US$42 million loan from ADB, US$21.5 million grant from AusAID and US$5.1 million contributive fund of Cambodia for another project to build warehouses, a new station at Samrong, 5 kilometer from Phnom Penh, and for railroad improvement, including a 6-kilometer exit section Kilometer No.6 in Phnom Penh. This project is planned to complete in 2013.

Apart from the aforementioned railroad projects, a 255-kilometer section project from Bat Doeung to Trapaing Sre, a link to Vietnam, which is part of Asia’s railroad networks (SKRL), ASEAN regional and Great Mekong Sub-regional system is now in planning with the feasibility study funded by China’s grant. The Royal Government of Cambodia is now seeking the funding sources for this project.

The Government’s Rectangular Strategy gives high priority to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of multimodal transport network connecting all parts of the country, and with neighbouring countries. This will enable provision of convenient, stable, safe, economically effi¬cient, lower cost transportation and logistics services network, aiming at trade facilitation, tourism promotion, and rural development, regional and global economic integration.

Plan for restoration, construction and development of railways and upgrading the speed to 50 kilometers per hour on the two lines are scheduled to be completed in 2013. –AKP